Fragment 3 : Stacy
One time, Stacy was sitting on the stairs leading to the roof, her red and swollen eyes hidden in her hands. Emilie had been looking for her all day, worried. When she finally arrived, she spotted her and immediately walked over. Stacy quickly tried to wipe away her tears, but Emilie noticed her condition right away.
— Stacy, finally ! What's going on ? Did someone hurt you ?
Stacy shook her head, embarrassed.
— If you don't tell me, I'm going to go beat up everyone in the class, no exceptions. That way, I'll be sure to give a good beating to the one who did this to you !
She chuckled and gave Emilie a light punch on the shoulder.
— You're such an idiot. And what about the ones who didn't do anything ?
— Who care s! As long as you feel better. So, will you please explain to me what's wrong ?
Stacy looked Emilie straight in the eyes. Then, with a theatrical gesture, she mimicked the action of ripping something off, in a quick, violent, and abrupt manner.
— Jay ripped off my mask like that. And everyone was shocked to see my face. One even threw up. As for Samuel and James, they called me a monster and made fun of me.
— I can't believe it ! Emilie exclaimed, stunned.
She rushed to go give them a lesson, but Stacy stopped her by grabbing her hand.
— You know, they're not wrong. I am a monster, after all. Seeing my face always scares others. I had nothing to say to them, and now, thinking about it, it's probably because, deep down, they were right.
— What ?! How can you say that ?! You're not a monster, you're the most beautiful girl I've ever known. Me, just like Maddy, we've loved you since we were little. The three of us are the smartest girls in this school, maybe even in the whole country ! So, we're never wrong, you hear me ? We're always right, because we're smarter than all those idiots. So, when I tell you that you're beautiful, are you really going to listen to fools instead of your best friends ?
— But…
— We've already seen your face. I know. You just have to take off your mask in front of me and watch my reaction.
Stacy slowly obeyed. She removed her mask, revealing a mouth completely devoid of lips. It was like the jagged edges of a torn sheet of paper. Her jaw was completely exposed. But once the mask was off, Emilie didn't show any disgust or surprise. Her eyes still shone with that same determined flame.
— Do you believe me now ?
Stacy nodded.
Emilie gently placed her hands on Stacy's face, wiping away her tears tenderly. She caressed her face, brushing aside the stray strands of hair before smoothing it back.
— You're so beautiful… why can't you see that ?
She slid her hand behind Stacy's neck, gently guiding her closer, bringing their faces near. Stacy raised her hands, ready to say something, but Emilie captured her fingers and held them tightly in hers. Then, she pressed her lips to her cheek, kissing her tenderly. After that, she wrapped her arms around her, holding her as tightly as she could.
— I love you, you know. Not just as a friend. I want you to stay by my side, for us to share our nights, for us to sleep together every night. I want to offer you a home where you wouldn't have to wear this mask anymore, a place where you'd feel safe. (She gently caressed her hair.) When you're not around, I feel cold, and just by being near me, you warm me up. Just seeing you makes me happy. It's strange, isn't it ? I used to think I was a monster because I couldn't love boys like all the other girls. But when I realized I was in love with you, that's when I realized how wrong I was. Because a monster could never fall in love with such a radiant angel.
She gently released her and gazed deeply into Stacy's eyes. Stacy was in shock, unable to find the words to describe how she felt.
— I'm sorry, that must have been a lot to take in. You don't have to answer right away. In the meantime, I need to take care of a few misbehaving boys.
She gave a playful wink. Stacy gently tugged on Emilie's sleeve.
— Thank you, for everything. You're really important to me too.
As she was descending, Emilie spotted Maddy running quickly down the hallway.
Oh no, did she overhear everything ?
— Maddy, wait !
Emilie rushed to catch up, running as fast as she could. She finally caught up with her on the first-floor corridor.
— Please, listen to me.
She grabbed Maddy's hand. When Maddy turned around, Emilie saw her eyes filled with tears.
— I love you too, and I will always be your friend ! I'll never abandon you ! Please, believe me ! Emilie said, panicked.
— You don't get it. Why did you feel the need to say that to her ?
— Maddy, don't tell me you… ?
— Let go of me. You two can just be together, then ! Be happy, both of you.
Maddy turned away and ran off, this time, Emilie didn't have time to catch up.
She had been living with Stacy ever since her parents abandoned her, but that night, she didn't come back to the house, nor did she the following nights. She didn't answer any of their calls. She had stopped going to school and never left her grandmother's house anymore. Stacy and Emilie visited her several times, but she never opened the door.
"It's all my fault. I've ruined everything…"
A week later, Stacy came to give her answer.
— I love you very much, but my heart doesn't feel the same way yours does. I hope that one day, you'll meet someone who can love you the way you deserve. But know that I can't imagine a future without you. You're a precious friend, and I don't want to lose you. So, let's stay together forever. Let's be happy, each in our own way.
— I see… thank you for telling me.
Emilie expected it, but hearing it still squeezed her heart.
— I see… It's okay, haha, she laughed, trying to hide her disappointment. Let's stay together. Nothing can happen to us as long as we're together, right ? Together… all three of us…
Emilie thought of Maddy, and her expression immediately darkened. Stacy noticed it but didn't know what to say. She squeezed her hand, and the two of them stayed silent.